And, Off To Something New Again

It’s been a great month to get to revisit with friends at Twisted Oak!

The plan was to have a month of hanging out together, time’s up, winter is here.

To keep things over the top frenzy and busy, I’ve packed up all stuff and traveled with Valiosa to a facility all new to us.

Major plus: a little closer to my house!

At the new barn, she’ll have pasture board together with two friends (which she adores!), with better drainage so winter mud won’t be too much of a problem. Unless things completely flood like they did last winter but that’s unlikely.

And, this is huge, the commute will be just 30 minutes, combined with full care!

End of Summer, at Dorado Andaluz

For the first time, I’ll be “just a boarder.” No extra work at the facility. No extra nothing. At all. Strange…

The challenge, a much busier environment… It’s a very special place to train. And, more as an afterthought, we’re not going to “blend in.” At all.

Bet most riders wouldn’t dare a silly move like this unless they knew they’d fit in just a little… Would you brave it?

This is the type of place where gorgeous warmblood babies are bred & born, and where top names in dressage come to clinic.

Little fountain in the middle sprays out water whispering – “This is really just only for people who actually know what they’re doing. Or who can pay for it, which is not mutually exclusive.”

This, honestly is the best we can do, isn’t going to swoon anyone 🙂

The Mexican Beach Horse With Resting Bitch Face (yes, it’s a thing.) will be the -“Geez, what’s she doin’ riding THAT thing…!?”

Clearly a bit of a stretch, which is good and healthy thank you-very-much-just-please-don’t-mind-us.

Think we’ll be accepted?

Only one way to find out 🙂

And hey, only way to grow is to actually go someplace where your roots will be watered. Even if you end up drenched in the process.

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Published by aHorseForElinor

Rider dedicated to doing my best with dressage. Or saddle up successfully each time. Or how about just stay on.
This is "Dressage On A Dime" - Come read about it all at: https://ahorseforelinor.com/
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PublishedNovember 15, 2017November 13, 2017

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25 thoughts on “And, Off To Something New Again”

So I kind of did something similar when I moved to KY. I took my we’re-not-sure-what-she-is draft cross to a barn that regularly hosts clinics with people that I cannot even bring myself to look in the eye and is full of super athletic thoroughbred and warmbloods!

So I have my small horse with grand plans of mastering Beginner Novice… while mostly everyone I ride with is conquering at least Training… or Prelim… or 1*s. However, I never feel like I am looked down upon. I am doing my best at this thing I am doing, and everyone respects that. Good luck at the new barn!

It sounds wonderful. I too, at the moment, have to pay for my horses and also feed and water them everyday and do extra chores such as clean their water troughs etc. It drives me a bit bonkers at times because i work full time shift work also; and i think having to do extra stuff impacts on your riding time. I am also on the lookout for a facility where i can just turn up and know they are looked after “top knotch” that will be best for me and the boys.

Don’t sell yourself short on your abilities or how to fit in at the barn.mate. I am sure you will do it all swimmingly and I always believe that being in a place where you can learn from others is so inspiring. I intend on my new barn being with State level dressage riders that way i can watch and learn every day.

Aww, that’s so sweet, thank you! 😗
I actually LOVE meeting new people, so I think this will all be nothing but fun. So far it has been Great!
As long as we keep improving a bit I think it will be just swimmingly 😁

If anything, it will help with becoming much more disciplined in the arena. More strategic, I hope, since we’ll rarely be on our own.
This morning she moved in with her new friends. Pictures up on Tuesday 🙂

Good for you! You will love being so much closer to your horse (less driving, hooray!), and being around a lot of good horses and riders is always good for you. Watch and learn from those who inspire you. Decide to not ride like the ones who don’t. Be proud of your beautiful mare and the partnership you have developed with her. You will find friends in surprising places, though they may not look just like you…variety is the spice of life!

And you have no idea how right you are, the shorter drive has been Such a relief! 25 minutes, even in rain, a couple of days ago when the traffic was just right.
I really hope to have some time to watch and learn too.
Takes some focus there, right? Have to actually observe, more than just seeing…

You are a committed rider bringing along a horse mostly on your own. She is an attractive mare and you ride her well. Do not be intimidated by barn b—ches. There will be people there who are genuine as well so just stick with them. Top riders coming in for clinics is a plus as much can be learned from watching. And remember that Carl Hester says “invest in training”. There was a horse in his recent clinic here who will be showing GP. This year and Carl pointed out that if you had seen him as a youngster you would have thought nothing of him. Different conformation and ordinary movEr but now…..looking fabulous in all the GP work. So…..onwared ever onwards.

I think it’s going to be a fun and fast paced environment!
I really appreciate hearing from you, obviously the only way to get better is to be where several riders are riding good horses and staying very focused on what they want. Sometimes that can be very challenging, when you’re just sort of puttering along 😉 among it all.
So far, the crowd has been really sweet, and I hope to pick up some tips without getting discouraged from our “limitations.”
Valiosa loves it out there too!

Good! I like being at a barn where the riders are focused. I find that they tend to interfere less and are less likely to be ….well you know what I mean. They appreciate anyone who works hard as you do. I look forward to hearing about it.

🙂 Had a cool morning today, super productive actually, just as you say… Had my boys out to take pictures too. First time since, I think last week of their summer break. Really fun! Peeking at the pictures not as fun 😉 Got lots of work to do. Stating up small amount of lessons again soon!

Sounds like a great opportunity for you two! I can totally understand the apprehension it sounds like you’re feeling about the move and fitting in, but you seem like an extremely likable person and who couldn’t love that beautiful mare of yours?? Worry not! 🙂 🙂